This episode contains an interview with solo artist and lead guitarist of James Rivera’s solo band (Helstar, Seven Witches, Viscious Rumors, Flotsam and Jetsam, etc.), Sabbath Judas Sabbath and XDB. Xander discusses among other things working with James, his solo work, his album Guitarcadia, and his vast array of gear.

The episode features snippets of tracks from Xander’s Guitarcadia, Angelus Apatrida, Sugar Ray, and Suicidal Tendencies.

Support the bands you love, if you like any of the tracks featured, help support the band and the podcast buy clicking on the following links to purchase songs by the bands in question:

Episode 79 of Mars Attacks Podcast contains an interview with Jon Oliva. Jon is best known for his work in Savatage, Jon Oliva’s Pain and Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO). The majority of the interview focuses on Jon’s first ever solo album Raise The Curtain. Jon discusses how the material for the album came together, what pressure (if any) he felt when releasing the last unreleased tracks written by his late brother Cris, the lost art of making an album, and what TSO means to his career (among other things).

The episode features snippets of tracks from Oliva, Savatage, Scorpions, Def Leppard, Judas Priest, and Lamb Of God.

Support the bands you love, if you like any of the tracks featured, help support the band and the podcast buy clicking on the following links to purchase songs by the bands in question:

Episode 78 of Mars Attacks Podcast features an interview multi-instrumentalist Brian Tichy. He’s been the drummer of such bands as Zakk Wylde and his band Pride & Glory, Ozzy Ozbourne, Foreigner, Billy Idol, Whitesnake, and recently filled in for Simon Wright in Geoff Tate’s version of Queensryche. The interview took place slightly before he started touring with Queensryche. Joining him on that tour would be Sass Jordan, who is the lead singer of Brian’s band S.U.N. or Something Onto Nothing. In S.U.N. Brian is the lead guitarist.

During the interview we discusses such topics as S.U.N., being asked by Steven Tyler to record and gig live with him, what it was like joining up with Zakk initially, which subsequently lead to a stint with Ozzy. When asked about Eddie Trunk calling him the metal Dave Grohl, he brings up how Grohl actually complimented his guit…

Episode 75 of the podcast contains an interview with legendary U.D.O. and Accept lead singer Udo Dirkschneider. The interview covers (among other things) U.D.O.’s new album Steelhammer, the band’s recent line up change, his expectations on touring the states, the uniqueness of his voice, and what it was like to come over to the US and open for Kiss on Accept’s first tour of the states.

Here is the podcast version of live show with was originally done on Friday July 9th, with Mark Strigl and Victor Ruiz. Topics include Dio, Stephen Pearcy, Queensryche, Black Veil Brides and Talking Metal Digital.

Note: We had some issues with Victor’s mic. Sorry about the drop outs.

Episode 71 contains an interview with Joe Stump. During the interview Joe discusses his latest solo album Revenge Of The Shredlord, his inspiration after being in the industry for 20 years, his gear, and all things Ritchie Blackmore.